Prime Minister Modi also gifted a Bodhi sapling to the temple. In turn, the Abbot of the monastery gifted a figurine of Hiuen Tsang, also known as Xuan Zang, to Modi. Xi and Modi also posed for the photographers while shaking hands in front of the monument.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping today discussed ways to strengthen “trust” and maintain peace on border between India and China, whose ties are often soured by the decades-old boundary dispute.

Modi and Xi held substantive talks in this city, the first time a Chinese President has done so outside Beijing, covering various issues ranging from political, economic and global issues like terrorism, UNSC reforms and India's membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Some time was spent on discussing connectivity issues,issue of terrorism naturally came up: S Jaishankar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is looking to clinch $10 billion worth of deals, a leading English daily of China reported on Thursday.

“The two countries are likely to sign deals worth $10 billion during Modi's first visit as prime minister that will also take him to Beijing and Shanghai as he attempts to attract investments for Indian manufacturing and infrastructure,” the Global Times said.

Famous Buddhist teacher Dharmagupta came to Xian from Gujarat in 590 CE & translated 12 Sanskrit works into Chinese

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be accorded a rare highest-level reception" by President Xi Jinping as the two leaders look to deepen their personal ties, Chinese official media said today.

"Modi will begin his first trip to China since taking office a year ago by visiting the temple where Buddhist monk Xuanzang translated scriptures after an epic 17-year journey to India," a report in the state-run China Daily said.

PM Modi arrives in Chinese city Xian

Xi'an: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reached the Chinese city of Xi'an on the first leg of his three-nation tour that will see him visiting China, Mongolia and South Korea.

The Prime Minister was accorded with traditional welcome upon his arrival.

"Not an ordinary city. Not an ordinary welcome. Prime minister being greeted at Xi'an airport," Vikas Swarup, spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs tweeted along with a picture of Modi.

Xi'an is the hometown of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"I am looking forward to the trip to China... the 21st century belongs to Asia," the Prime Minister told Chinese media ahead of his visit that will also take him to Mongolia and South Korea.

The Prime Minister, who is accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and senior officials, hoped that his visit will "further deepen" India-China relations and set a "new milestone" for Asia and developing countries.

"I believe that my trip to China will not only deepen the China-India friendship, but also set a new milestone for the relations between developing countries in Asia as well as around the world. There is no doubt about that," he told state-run CCTV ahead of this visit.

Modi said he wants to focus on how India and China can further strengthen mutual trust and confidence, so as to realise the full potential of the relationship. "I look forward to working out a roadmap for qualitatively upgrading our economic relations and seek greater Chinese participation in India's economic growth, especially in transforming India's manufacturing sector and infrastructure," he said.

The Prime Minister said he believes the relationship between India and China can be one of the most important relationships of the century.